Arsenal weathered a late fightback from Tottenham to maintain their title charge and stay a point ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table

Mikel Arteta claimed Arsenal's "emotional" North London derby win proved they are ready to handle the pressure of the title run-in this season.

And the Gunners boss promised: "They're going to have a real go." The Premier League leaders fought off a late Spurs fightback to stay a point ahead of Manchester City.

Last season the Gunners led by eight points before dropping late points and finishing behind Pep Guardiola 's team. But after a third consecutive Premier League win, the Gunners boss said: "We have proved we can handle this stage of the season better than last year.

"When you win it's always the case. Last season we didn't, because we went to West Ham and we missed a penalty, and against Liverpool we conceded in the 91st minute and then you're not capable. At the end the judgement is going to be based on that outcome. If they got the goal in the last minute to make it 3-3 then we wouldn't have been ready.

"I've seen that the whole season. They give me the reason to believe that every single day. We are right on it. The motivation for what is ahead is beautiful. We are all expecting that they're going to have a real go. Emotionally it's been a very demanding month, but yesterday I had to stop them in training because they wanted more. That's a good sign."

Goalscorer Bukayo Saka added: Maybe last season that could have ended in a draw and we showed we have the experience." The Arsenal winger's 15th goal of the season saw him become the first English player to score home and away against Spurs in the Premier League since Ian Wright in 1993-94.

"Of course it is really nice and I hope I can continue breaking records like this," he said.